Prominent Nigerians, including the immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, yesterday in Abuja advocated for a more effectual civil and public service in the country, stressing that Nigeria’s success lies in a dynamic and innovative civil and public service.

The leaders who gathered at the Aig Public Leaders Program closing ceremony streamlined the roles individuals across the country, especially political office holders, civil servants, public servants, and technocrats, play in galvanising development across the board.

They urged leaders to harness their skills and expertise to spur progress, enhance governance, and implement effective policies that can positively impact communities throughout the country.

Osinbajo said that the civil and public service sectors are fundamental to a nation’s success. When these sectors are managed by well-trained, adequately resourced, and motivated professionals, they play a vital role in driving economic growth, fostering business development, creating jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for citizens.

He noted the successful supervision of the construction of four refineries, noting that the last three were built in just a decade, from 1978 to 1985, thanks to the efforts of dedicated public servants.
Furthermore, he pointed out that effective responses to global health crises such as Ebola and COVID-19 were led by committed public health professionals.

Osinbajo also mentioned that public servants are essential in facilitating enterprise and supporting the private sector, referring to Nigeria’s emergence as Africa’s leading fintech hub. This growth and the influx of significant global investments reflect the strength and effectiveness of the public sector.

“Public service scientists create the systems that protect them, ensuring that health, safety, education, and opportunity reach every corner of society, not as a privilege, but as a promise. The prosperity of our nations depends on the diligence, integrity, vision, and creativity of public service,” he said.

The Aig Public Leaders Program is a collaborative leadership initiative with the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. It proudly celebrates the graduation of 68 students from its fourth cohort, marking a significant milestone in developing future leaders.

Also speaking, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, noted that one of the key pillars of her administration is capacity building and talent management of the civil servants of the federation.

“The civil service of the federation is committed to building the capabilities of civil servants through the Manpower Development Institute and other programs like the Smart-P and the induction program.

We also recently developed the Federal Civil Service Online Academy to ensure productivity within the service,” she said.

Chairman of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, noted that the challenge for Nigeria is catching up with the advancement of the evolving world, and catching up requires pushing beyond limits.

He also explained that to achieve huge success, Nigeria must embrace the power of a unified front to drive the needed public and civil service reforms that will ignite development.

Aigboje commended the graduates on their excellence and newly acquired leadership knowledge that would be of great importance in positively improving the civil and public service in Nigeria.

“All Nigerians, wherever they are from, no matter the tribe or creed, no matter their beliefs, want a better country and will do what is necessary when the tools, networks, and knowledge are available. I congratulate the 68 graduates and cohorts for their projects that have a solid social impact,” he added.

The Director of the programme and Associate Professor at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Emily Jones, disclosed that polling data suggests that only 44 percent of Nigerian citizens trust the government to deliver effectively and that the need for effective public service is in high demand.

She stressed that integrity is crucial in getting the public service to achieve its sole responsibility, and regaining the trust of the citizens can only be achieved through the integrity of the process.

Emily congratulated and urged the graduating students to employ the use of digital technology as it is a viable means to improve the speed, quality, and fairness with which services are delivered to citizens.